Category Archives: art books for children

Film Friday: Flying Books of Lessmore

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“Great is the human who  has not lost his childlike heart.” ~ Mencius (Meng-Tse)  4th Century BCE

Our blogs over the past few days have been devoted to e-books and the use of digital technology, design and typographyics enhancing electronic literature for adults and children. There are strong arguments for and against using e-books to teach children to read.

 flying books of LessmoreA former Pixar designer and Moonbot Studios are developing animated children’s books along with William Joyce author of, “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.” The app for these books is ingratiated with the latest technology and really open one’s eye to the potential of e-book development. Click here for Info & Ordering

Even if you are not interested in reading e-books, you can still appreciate the wonder of science and technology and how the world of publishing is evolving. Check out this video to get a glimpse into how books and movies are coming together for a new generation of readers. http://bit.ly/140sUz4 .

 To read more about Moonbot Studios and the creative and innovative e-books they are designing for children, please visit this link.http://bit.ly/140tahu.

Visit us again tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling, where sharing independent thoughts, words and views is all part of the business. This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

E-Book Sales 2012

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“You can tap on a word to see what it means and you can make the words big or small.”  ~ 9 year old girl, Virginia

The first quarter of 2013 will soon be coming to an end, and reports on book sales in 2012 have been complied and released from many sources. E-books continue to increase in popularity, as technology continues to offer improved products such as digital readers, and tablets. 

e-book softwareAccording to The Kids and Family Reading Report, published by Scholastic, “as much of 46% percent of children have read an e-book.” They are being used more frequently in the classroom and for this tech savvy generation of children, e-books designs are incorporating interactive features that children like. 

The Kindle Fire, a digital book reader had presales back in September 2011 of one million units per week. According to Dave Limp, V.P. of Amazon “Kindle Fire is the most successful product we’ve ever launched- it’s the bestselling product across all of Amazon for 11 straight weeks.” 

Attached is an article from Venturebeat.com about e-book sales in 2012. I’ll let the information speak for itself, rather than try to interpret it for you. http://bit.ly/Zq5L8s . 

Not convinced this is a fair assessment of the e-book market? Here are a few other articles which also cite a growing demand for digital books. 

http://bit.ly/YkT2Dg  

http://on.mash.to/Zq6YwO

From analyzing the reports, there is a healthy market for e-books. The growing use technology in our lives, an increased focus on sustainable, green living, the affordability of e-books and the ability to store books in a computer or handheld digital device rather than on bookshelves that take up space in rooms, in my opinion explain why e-book sales is a growing market.

Visit us again tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling, where sharing independent thoughts, words and views is all part of the business. This blog is brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Spreading the Joy in Indie Publishing

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“Joy isn’t in things, money or positions. It is IN us. And we need to bring it with us and SHARE it!” ~ Unknown 

Day Two of 2013!  My resolution this year is to do something a little different each month, to promote our growing population of independent publishers here in Routt County, Colorado. 

snowboarding tricksWhy? Because I believe greatly in each one of our We Write Steamboat, independent publishers. They are a creative and well-educated group of people, male and female. Many of them are award-winning authors with award-winning books! Each of them is a healer of mind, body and spirit! They have career knowledge in all sorts of fields. Our members include teachers, physicians, life consultants,a chef, holistic health consultants, experts on our natural environment,  just to name a few. All with valuable experience in life to write about. Our group also includes young people and retirees who like to spin yarns just for the fun of it! (Of course, they don’t object to selling their books, also!) 

In my opinion, all writers are helpers and healers of mind, body and spirit! After all, we publish books to educate, inspire others, entertain,and inform readers. Could there be better reasons? I don’t think so. In fact, writing is as therapeutic for the author as well as the reader. It gives us a way to share our thoughts, emotions, experiences and our imaginations. http://bit.ly/ZSk0Yc.

A networking group of independent publishers, She Writes Steamboat, that I began almost two years ago, has grown, and as of January 1, 2013 we have changed our name to We Write Steamboat. From the very first meeting, we have had male writers attend, and we don’t want them to feel slighted! We’ve welcomed them and have been delighted to have them part of the group from our inception.

We, independent publishers here in Ski Town, USA and Routt County, Colorado, come together and meet monthly. In a nutshell, because producing independent books, films and music is a win-win for the artist creating the work as well as for the audience who so enjoys it! Our mission is to provide networking opportunity and to promote success of independent publishing. Our affiliation with the Colorado Independent Publishers Association www.cipabooks.com , also fosters our growth as award-winning writers and publishers.  

If you wish to learn more about starting up an independent publishing networking group in your area, contact me through this blog.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com, a company specializing in e-commerce and e-marketing for independent publishers!

Spinning Yarns

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“The key to a healthy society is a thriving community of storytellers.” ~ Franco Sacchi

Yesterday our blog was about New Year’s resolutions, and the need for Americans to add PLAY MORE to their list of priorities for 2013. “Play more” means something different to everyone, depending on our own interests and hobbies.

growingbookLast fall I enrolled in a creative writing course, just for the fun of it. I enjoyed it immensely; it was enlightening. As a result of the class, I feel as if my brain has been fertilized and my garden pot of memories has sprouted and grown. I have thoughts that would be rewarding to share with others, in a way that never occurred to me before. Funny, how that has happened.

I made a decision for myself this morning.  Creative Writing II has been added to my “to do” list this winter. I have an independent publishing project I’m pondering; I wish to work through it, with the guidance of a skilled writing professor.

Finding inspiration is not always easy, but, researchers say that the more we create, our minds become more open and receptive to invention, ingenuity and artistry. I suppose this explains why “mad scientists” who come up with one great idea to patent, often go on to explore and invent other key concepts to copyright. Authors, after writing one book, often find the motivation to continue, and write a second.

 Imagination How Creativity WorksImagine: How Creativity Works by Jonah Lehrer addresses how many factors in our lives  nurture creativity.Click for more info & ordering

There is an interesting review in Psychology Today magazine that both questions and validates what Lehrer says in his book. To read the article, please visit this link. http://bit.ly/W7A4xh.

There is also a good article for writers and artists on how to stay inspired. http://bit.ly/YlZKaS.  Many people who live long, fulfilling lives attribute satisfying lives to the fact that they never stop growing and learning. Is there something you have always wanted do but haven’t dared to? Perhaps 2013 should be the year to pursue it.

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected

A Holiday Respite

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The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

norman-rockwell-christmas-homecoming-1What is it that draws us into reading books and watching movies about Christmas? Many are corny and unrealistic, yet there is still something that enchants us. I suppose we want to experience feelings of fulfillment – joy, love, hope, tenderness, amusement, generosity, faith, peace, harmony. Click on the link For info & ordering Norman Rockwell books

Art images of Christmas, such as this iconic Norman Rockwell painting, enfolds us in thoughts of things that keeps us believing in the goodness of our world and humanity; providing us with a respite from the more difficult realities of life.

Last fall I was introduced to author David Baldacci through his book, I Wish You Well, and found him to be a great story teller. He has a newly released book called, Forgotten, that is near the top of the NY Times Bestselling List, in print and e-book format. So, last week I decided to read his holiday tale, The Christmas Train. I enjoyed this light read and liked his quirky characters. The story was as sappy as maple sugar. In one turn of the story, had it been a true case scenerio, people would have died, or at the very least, frozen to the point of injury. But, in the spirit of Christmas, all turns out well. I did I really expect anything else? Click here for Baldacci books

Santa has always brought our family at least one new Christmas book or movie annually. Holiday Inn had to be replaced last year. The DVD was so worn with use it no longer had a clear picture.

If you are looking for a Christmas movie to watch with your family, here is a list of the top holiday movies of all time, listed in the Independent. http://ind.pn/Ta76PY.

nostalgic christmas2Heat up some hot chocolate, pair it with some popcorn and enjoy a holiday film in the comfort of your own home this weekend. It will do you good to relieve you of the stress of holiday preparations.

Return on Monday, and then I will be taking a break from blogging for a few days to fully enjoy the holiday.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Meaningful Family Gifts

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“Christmas is not an eternal event at all, but a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart.” ~ Freya Stark

I remember it well. As a child, during the Christmas season, I felt like the ornaments that consumed my thoughts. The bubbling lights that sat clipped to our white feather Xmas tree brought me enormous happiness.  And to think that our mother let us set up the tree, with branches that looked like extended angel wings, in the bedroom  I shared with my twin sister, was more than I could have ever hoped for in life. 

bubble_lights on white tree2Night time couldn’t come too soon. I couldn’t wait for dark so I could lay in my bed and watch mesmerized, before I fell asleep, trying to figure out what made the liquid in the vials bubble and boil. Had my maternal grandparents, who had given us the tree and lights, filled the vials themselves? I’d heard of gold, frankincense and myrrh from Christmas stories. “Did the lights contain magic oil, liquid gold, frankincense or myrrh?  Whatever that stuff was.” I thought. “Perhaps it was fairies flitting in the night, waving their wands over the tree that made the vials have movement.” 

My sister was so lucky; she got extra peeks of the lights in the middle of the night. She often woke up hungry, so my mother packed her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every night, wrapped it in waxed paper, and set it beside the bed. When her stomach began rumbling, she’d eat the snack, and watch the lights on the tree. I was never hungry, so I missed out and slept through the night.  

Just to look at an image of a Victorian white feather tree with bubbling lights, brings fulfilling memories flooding back. Do you have cherished childhood memories around holiday traditions that you could write about to preserve for your family.

There are easy to use programs to help you make keepsakes of family photos  for grandchildren or children. www.blurbl.com and www.Shutterfly.com are perfect for these kinds of projects. If you are computer savvy, you still have time to produce a uniquely designed gift book in time for Christmas giving.

Check them out. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Art Rocks! Rock Art Books

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“Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it”~Michelangelo 

Yes, Art Rocks! It adds personal fulfillment to my life. Visual arts, literary/language arts, performance arts…it’s all good! Art is part of our American culture and arts and crafts are unique from each country around the world.  

Since I have moved to the western part of the United States, I have visited places where rock art rules. Petro glyphs, geological digs, caves and cliff dwellings indicate human existence that goes way back in time – interesting stuff! Trying to decipher crude symbols for common words is fun and all part of examining our ancient culture. 

Do you have a rock hound, historian, paleontologist, geologist,a fan of Native American culture or artist in your life that really digs looking at and reading about rock art? There are a number of excellent books on the subject.
Click for info & ordering

During my Thanksgiving visit to Bandelier National Monument, I discovered a nice assortment in their gift shop.  If you ever want to see a great  historical site with authentic rock art, visit Bandeliers, a real national treasure in New Mexico. http://1.usa.gov/10XO7LB.

 

 

 

Many of  independently published books about rock art and native American culture can be ordered in time for the holidays through e-commerce (internet shopping).

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com

and author Sue Batton Leonard, author ofClick here for info & ordering.

A Fashionable Read

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“The secret of fashion is to surprise and never to disappoint.” ~ Edward G Bulwer-Lytton

Do you have a want-to-be fashion designer in the family who you are  looking for something to give them other than clothing for Christmas? Tired of seeing your hard earned money thrown in the trash because the clothes you have given your budding fashion stylist, as gifts, do not fit their own unique look?

How about an independently published book about the fashion industry that encourages high fashion at low cost? In this economy, many feel that is the wise way to shop.

Consultant Marisa Lynch’s book, developed out of her blogging efforts called New Dress A Day: The Ultimate DIY Guide to Creating Fashion Dos from the Thrift Store Don’ts  is now available. Click for info and ordering

Lynch has gained further fame by appearing on Nate Berkus’ Show, RickiLake, Martha Stewart and has also been interviewed by Anderson Cooper. She as part of the E! Red Carpet team at the Oscars, transforming dresses from thrift stores into stunning gowns that met the approval of many of the top fashionistas and the paparazzi, too.

Support literary arts  through your Christmas shopping. There are unique books being published independently. You will be doing our local economies a great service by helping to build a creative economy industry.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Fairy Tale Paper Artist

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“I was a great reader of fairy tales. I tried to read the entire fairy tale section of the library.” ~Beverly Cleary

Last week I posted a blog about ways to creatively recycle book pages. Su Blackwell, an artist from the U.K.,  creates three dimensional book sculptures made with discarded books. Many of her creations are scenes from fairytales and folk lore stories.

Her work is reflective of the books she read and the fulfilling make-believe world she created while playing in the woods during her childhood. Blackwell went on to study arts, specifically textiles, obtaining a M.A. degree at the Royal College of Art in London.

“The Quiet American” was her very first sculpture which was created from a second hand book called the Kao San Road she purchased on a trip to Thailand. She says she reads books once or twice before she begins her creation of a scene from the book.

The trend of repurposing books to create art sculpture is becoming popular in many places, including here in Colorado. Artist Kim Keith, exhibits and sells her geometric shaped paper sculpture and other mixed media, at the Red Contemporary Gallery here in Steamboat. She says her creations keep “alive the tactile sense and physicality of “book”. http://bit.ly/PrThwI.

Click here for books on repurposing books for art projects.

 
For more information, on the amazing work of Su Blackwell, please visit this link. http://bit.ly/RTrcwA.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Book Pages to Paper Posies

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“All the flowers of the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.” ~ Indian Proverb 

The other day, I saw a wonderful floral creation made with recycled book pages. Depending on your time and skill, one single paper posey or a full bouquet can be crafted.

These handmade flowers are long lasting. Help to keep news print and other printed paper out of landfills by making them. This type of floral decorating needs no watering, saving natural resources from being depleted.

 Here are step by step instructions, along with photos , of how to create these sustainable flowers  http://bit.ly/Qb4myY. 

Lately, I have seen many ideas for recycling paperback books. It seems to becoming a fulfilling hobby. If you are looking for unique gifts for the someone in your life,  think about re-using paper products creatively.

With the emphasis on recycling, my husband  may decide he has bought me enough live flowers throughout our thirty-two year marriage. Some day he may draw the line and say “I am no longer buying the real deal, you already have the resources needed to make floral arrangements in those books you are discarding. Get to it, get inspired!” 

If I want to keep peace in the family and celebrate a golden anniversary, I’d better side with him.  The thing is, a puny nosegay is not very effective. I’ll want an overflowing bouquet, a real armful of paper posies,  for a bountiful look. For my 50th anniversary maybe  I’ll have my original wedding garb re-designed to reflect a new era – using recycled materials in artistic bridal clothing.

I better make a vow to get started now, producing my own book page bouquet. Eighteen years from now I should have enough blossoms to make a real fashion statement.  

Want to help make some flowers? I’ve provided the instructions, you provide the paper, from all those newspapers, hardcover and paperback books, they say, are going out of style.

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